Can a career coach really help you get a job?

Are you feeling stuck in your career? Having trouble getting a job? Or are you confused about what to do with your CV? The solution may be a Career Coach.

A relatively new concept, the job of a Career Coach is to help people find and secure their perfect job.

To give you a better idea of what you can expect from a Career Coach, we chatted to Kylie Butler from Inspired Careers, who shared a few keys insights with us.

What exactly does a Career Coach do?

I help people get clear on their career direction and then give them the skills to land the role they desire. I work to understand an individual’s values, interests, passions, competencies, education and talents.

From there, I look at the current market and outline suitable opportunities. The job market has changed so much in recent years – there are jobs out there now that people aren’t even aware of, like Network Design Architects and Creative Strategists to name just a couple!

The job market has also changed dramatically with the digital age – 95% of employers use LinkedIn for recruitment. So I also help my clients have standout profiles with keywords making sure that they are found for the right roles.

I also assist people with applications and train them for interviews.

What kind of people seek your services and why?

Recent graduates or people a few years out of university that are still unsure of what to do now that they’ve “grow up”.

I also work with candidates that have lost confidence with their job search; people who have taken career breaks like new mums… Really it can be anyone that simply chooses to be more efficient with their job search by getting some expert advice and landing a job sooner rather than spending their days trawling through Seek.

What are some main career challenges you see people facing?

Lack of confidence is a big one. If someone is uncertain of their career direction, has been knocked back for roles or let go from a business for whatever reason, it can really damage their confidence and make the job search a very arduous task.

Also, people don’t understand the importance of having a personal brand and their online profile.

Another challenge is poor interview skills – which often means great candidates miss out on roles they are perfect for.

How can someone find the best career coach for them?

With a Career Coach, you’d firstly want to understand their background and specifically, what experience they have being at “the other side of the fence” as an employer.

Life Coaches can be fantastic at helping you get clear on your purpose but not with the practical and technical aspects of securing a role.

It’s also about a personal connection. Do you feel your coach can get the best out of you and that you’ll enjoy working with them?

Kylie Butler’s best resume tips:

Be careful firstly when looking at CV tips online. Many of the tips that you will find online are written specifically for the US or UK markets and they are not entirely relevant for Australians as our CVs are different.

Ensure that you sum up your core responsibilities and key achievements for your roles, with more detail for recent roles.

Ensure you explain any career gaps.

Having your CV finished by a graphic designer is also a great idea. Visuals matter. And as a minimum, avoid Times Roman as your font of choice.

What are your secrets to career success?

Finding a role that is in-line with your purpose, makes use of your talents and approaching every day with passion and energy. And hard work, lots of hard work!

Well there you have it. If you are struggling with direction, are having difficulty getting a job, or want someone to help you perfect your online presence and resume, then a Career Coach may be the way to go, as long as you are willing and able to invest a bit of your hard-earned cash into the endeavour.

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2 Responses

Hello,
Thank you for taking time to read my mail, I am writing this mail let you know that am studying Cert 4 in Web Development new to this profession and have less work experience. Please help me to build better resume to find a job.